5 Things Parents Should Never Post on Social Media

In this age of social media and connectivity, reaching out to friends from all corners of the globe is a breeze. Just tap on the Facebook icon on your phone, and you’re instantly connected to all your social media contacts with whom you share varying levels of friendships.

It is through social media that we get updates about their children, milestones like taking their first steps, saying their first word, et cetera, et cetera.

However, some of our parent friends tend to overshare. We know how much you love your children, but oversharing may put off some people, or may even put your children’s life at risk.

The following are things parents should never post on social media.

1. Sensitive pictures of your children

No matter how innocent these pictures may be, or how cute you believe your children look, some people might find sensitive pictures of your children highly offensive. People do not always know the story behind each post.

Take for example Heather Whitten, a documentary photographer from Arizona, who posted a picture of her husband as he comforts his sick son in the shower. The photo soon went viral and received a lot of positive comments from people.

However, one person filed a complaint against Ms. Whitten and her husband. They were investigated by the Arizona’s Department of Child Safety (DCS) and the Sahuarita Police Department.

2. Pictures of poop and vomit

We know you’d love to document every waking moment of your precious little one. But please, we don’t need to see poop and puke. Life is tough enough as it is. For most people, social media time means time out from work, a break from the time spent thinking about work-related and personal matters. When we’re on social media, we like to pretend that everything’s coming up roses. Stick to cute pictures of your seemingly well-behaved children and we’re all good.

3. Your child’s location

I know that sometimes you can’t resist the urge to check in at that newly-opened play center that every mom is raving about. Or at that tea place where your daughter is having high tea with her friends. However, telling people your child’s location could be very dangerous. You never know who’s watching so it’s best to keep information like this private.

4. Cheesy posts that belong nowhere

We know you love your children and that you would like to declare your undying love for them on a daily basis. But perhaps instead of flooding our news feeds with cheesy posts, you can actually spend time with your children. Remember, actions speak louder than words. And if you’re too busy documenting it, it means you’re not actively participating in what your child is doing.

This reminds me of a good friend of mine who shared a picture of her son Dean on Facebook saying that he had won an award for being the Most Outstanding Woodwind Player after a school concert. They failed to capture it on video because they were busy appreciating the performance. This is a parent who actually pays attention and does not live for social media.

5. Stylized posts for the sake of Facebook

A quote from the book Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, caught my attention not so long ago. It says, “Those beautiful rooms were just like Perry’s constant Facebook posts: stylized representations of their life. Yes, they did sometimes sit on that gloriously comfortable-looking couch and put glasses of champagne on that coffee table and watch the sun set over the ocean. Yes, they did. And sometimes, often, it was glorious. But that was also the couch where Perry had once held her face squashed into the corner and she’d thought she might die.”

We know the temptation to stylize your life for your social media friends is very strong. But more often than not, these friends can tell what is real and what is not. Your humble brag posts will not go unnoticed nor undetected. Let the children play for real. Let them get dirty. Don’t make their lives feel like a never ending pictorial. In the end, your child will be so much happier.